Motor vehicle having a mechanism for moving a panel or door

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a panel or door, which can be brought from a closed position into an open position against the force of gravity using at least one energy storage element and means coupled therewith for influencing the torsional moment provided on the panel or door by the at least one energy storage element, wherein the panel or door is rotatably supported about an axis of rotation, and wherein the torsional moment can be influenced by the means for influencing depending on the opening position of the panel or door.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly affecting the opening and closing motion of a panel pivotally mounted about a transverse axis on the body of a vehicle, comprising;
 a plurality of transversely disposed, prestressed springs mounted on said vehicle body, operatively interconnected to provide opposed torsional motion at the ends thereof; 
 first means operatively interconnecting one end of said springs and said panel for imposing a pivotal biasing force on said pivotal arm to urge said panel in a first direction; and 
 second means operatively interconnecting the other end of said springs and said pivotal arm of said panel for imposing an opposed biasing force on said pivotal arm to urge said panel in a direction opposed to said first direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first means comprises an arm member connected to said one end of said springs and pivotal about the axis thereof. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said second means comprises a linear thrust member pivotally connected at one end thereof to an arm member disposed radially relative to the axis of the other end of said springs, and rotatably connected to a roller disposed at another end thereof, bearing on a cam surface of a member mounted on and pivotal with said one end of said springs. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 3  wherein said linear thrust member is provided with a longitudinal slot which receives therein a guide portion of said one end of said springs. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 3  wherein said member provided with said cam surface and said arm member connected to said panel are radially fixed to a portion of said one end of said springs.